Indian and exotic major carps fishes

 

Indian Major Carps

Catla catla :- It is the fastest growing carp identified by deep body depth, larger head, wider upturned mouth and prominent lower jaw. More convex dorsal region looks blackish grey and belly is silvery in colour. Dorsal profile is more convex than abdomen.  Dorsal fin is equipped with 14-16 branched fin rays and it commences slightly before the ventral fin. Anal fin extends to the base of caudal fin. Lateral line is complete and scales are prominent. It is a surface feeder fish species that prefer to consume zooplankton. Young fry are planktophagus preferring unicellular algae. Fry of 2.0 cm starts feeding on zooplankton, showing preference for protozoans, crustaceans, rotifers, mollusks and decayed macro vegetation. 

Labeo rohita :- Commonly known as Rohu. Body is elongated having comparatively less depth than Catla catla. Head is small, pointed and with fringed lower lip. One pair of thin maxillary barbels are present. Lateral line is complete and scales are also prominent. Scales are having red colour points in the center. Dorsal profile is more convex than ventral. It is a column feeder fish that inhabit in the middle strata of the pond water. It is a periphyton feeder. Larvae and fry of Rohu feed on unicellular algae and zooplanktonic organisms. Fingerlings feed on vegetable debris and microscopic plants. Adult feeds on various types of organisms preferring periphytons, vegetable organic matter and decaying higher plants. It attains sexual maturity by the end of second year and like Catla it also breeds in running water during mansoon months.

 Cirrhinus mrigala :- Commonly it is known as Nain. It is characterized by its linear body shape, sub-terminal mouth, and bright silvery body having a golden tinge. Eyes are prominent. One pair of short nostril barbels are present. Dorsal profile of body is more convex than ventral region. It is an omnivore bottom feeder and occupies the bottom of the pond. It feeds upon decaying algal, plant decaying organic matter. Sexual maturity is attained by the end of second year. It also does not breed in confined water. Naturally breeding is possible after attainment of sexual maturity of two years and can be induced breed successfully.

Exotic major carps

Exotic major carp fishes have higher growth rate, they are hardy in nature and therefore can survive better. They have been introduced in our country. Silver carp, Grass carp and Common carp are the three main species of carps which contribute second in total fin fish production from freshwater bodies after Indian Major Carps. The exotic carp fishes contribute significantly to the total freshwater fish production. In some water bodies the exotic major carps introduction have also resulted into lower production of some of Indigenous fish species. Common carp introduced in to Kashmir valley has almost exterminated indigenous Schizothorcids. Similarly, Osteobrama belongs to endemic fish to Loktak lake is disappearing rapidly due to Common carp introduction. Therefore the advantage and disadvantage must be studied in prior to introduction of any exotic species.

Hypophthalmichthys molitrix:- Commonly it is known as silver carp because of its shining scales colours like silver. Scales are small and lateral line is complete. Basically it is native of China. In India it was introduced in 1959 from Japan at Cuttack, Orissa. It is characterized by laterally compressed body, upturned mouth and slightly extended lower jaw. Ventral profile is more concave than dorsal. Head is small, snout is rounded and mouth is broad. Lower jaw is slightly protruding. Abdomen is keeled from isthmus to anus. Body scales are small with dark in the dorsal region and silvery below the lateral line. Dorsal fin originates behind the pelvic fin. Pectoral fin reaches up to the pelvic fin. It is surface feeder fish that prefers phytoplankton to consume. Fry and adult feed on flagellate, dianoflagellates, protozoans and rotifers supplemented by decayed macro vegetation and detritus.

Ctenopharyngodon idella:–It is commonly known as grass carp. It is native of Amur river basin therefore also known as white Amur. In India it was transplanted in 1959 at Cuttack, Orissa. It is characterized by elongated, slightly compressed long cylinder body with broad head and short round snout. Mouth is wide and sub terminal. The upper jaw is slightly larger than lower. Barbles are absent.  Dorsal fin is ahead of pelvic fibs. Caudal peduncle is comparatively shorter than other major carps. Body colour is olive at dorsal region while belly is silvery white. Grass carp young fry feed on micro-vegetation and zooplankton. When they attain a size of 2.5 cm they begin to feed on aquatic vegetation like small azolla, lemna and spirogyra. Adult fish feed on soft leaves, weeds and varieties of other aquatic plants.  Partially indigested food in the form of faecal matter work as manure to produce planktons. Grass carp also does not breed in confined water.

 Cyprinus carpio: -It is commonly known as Common carp. The Persian strain of Common carp was introduced in Nilgiri Hills of Tamilnadu in year 1939 from Srilanka. While Chinese starin was transplanted in 1957 from Bangkok. It is characterized by small pointed head and protrucible mouth. Lips are thick that support browsing activity. Paired barbels are small and stumpy. Body is laterally compressed; colour is olive green in dorsal region and yellowish ventrally. It is omnivorous bottom feeder fish. Based on the size and pattern of scale arrangement three varieties of Cyprinus carpio are known C.carpio variety spicularis (Mirror carp) – Few large scales cover the body unevenly and major part of its body remain devoid of scales.C.carpio variety communis (Scale carp) – This fish is having small scale than C. carpio spicularis completely covering the body.

C. carpio variety nudus (Leather carp)- Scales are almost completely absent on the body of leather carp which gives appearance of leathery skin. The fish larvae of common carp are omnivorous in feeding habit and feeds on variety of items. It browses on the shallow bottom also feed on the vegetable debris, insects, worms, crustaceans and planktonic algae. The fish breed almost throughout the year with peak from January to April. It can breed in confined water. The eggs are adhesive and attach to the leaves of submerged plants. In Indian condition Common carp mature during first year of age.